HIV-2 INFECTION

Course overview

HIV-2 IS AN ENVELOPED RETROVIRUS THAT CAUSES INFECTION IN HUMANS, SIMILAR TO HIV-1. IT IS ENDEMIC TO PARTS OF WEST AFRICA, BUT GLOBALIZATION HAS LED TO WORLDWIDE SPREAD. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 1 TO 2 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE WITH HIV-2, AND WITHOUT TREATMENT, INFECTION INVARIABLY LEADS TO SIGNIFICANT MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY. GIVEN GLOBAL INTERCONNECTEDNESS AND IMMIGRATION FROM ENDEMIC REGIONS, CLINICIANS SHOULD BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIV-1 AND HIV-2 INFECTION AND MAINTAIN A HIGH INDEX OF SUSPICION FOR HIV-2 IN PERSONS FROM HIGH-RISK REGIONS. THIS ACTIVITY OUTLINES THE EPIDEMIOLOGY, EVALUATION, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, AND TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR HIV-2 INFECTION. IT FURTHER REVIEWS THE ROLE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAMS PLAY IN IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS WITH HIV-2.